Furious school-run mums say they are facing traffic chaos - and journeys of more than an hour - because of roadworks and major building developments.

Trips which usually take 20 minutes have been taking three times as long, particularly during school-run hours, resulting in several children being late for class.

Residents of Tamerton Foliot, Southway and Derriford have suffered major delays, particularly this week. It's thought the Tavistock Road Transport Scheme and several housing developments within the area, are contributing factors.

The queues have been excessive this week with hour long delays

Southway resident, Melissa Symmonds told The Herald: “We’ve got four primary and two secondary schools within the area, there are a lot of people who need to be on the roads at the same time.

“There are multiple housing developments happening in Tamerton, Southway and Derriford at the moment causing traffic on all routes.

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Selina Richmond said her son left the house at 7:30am to catch the bus to school from Tamerton, by 9am he had only reached Mannamead.

Others said their children were considering walking to school to avoid being late.

Tamerton and Southway residents believe the traffic build up is a knock on effect from roadworks and housing developments (Image: Penny Cross)

Viv Price, from Tamerton Foliot, said: “My daughter was signed in late. She is even talking about walking tomorrow to Crownhill because it’s only her second week at high school and she doesn’t want to be late.”

Several new housing developments in the area will see extra cars on the road, residents fear that unless some action is taken, the problem will only get worse.

Residents have been battling with developers for 2-years to stop the extra houses being built in fears of the village not being able to cope with the extra cars.

There is currently only one access road in and out of the village.

Tina Forbes, from Tamerton Foliot, told The Herald: “The reason we’ve spent two years complaining and appealing against the Taylor Wimpey applications is due to concerns of it creating even more traffic.

Children have been late to school due to the tailbacks (Image: Penny Cross)

“We have supported house developers in the area, we’ve worked with them but the developments in Allern Lane would just be too much for the area.

“Taylor Wimpey won’t take no for an answer, but the traffic over the last couple of days is a prime example of what it will be like all the time in the area if these developments are allowed to go ahead.”